Drowned in Grand River

SHELTON

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/10/2019 at 07:36:26

Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, January 07, 1897, Page 7, Col. 3

"Drowned in Grand River”

“Robert Shelton, of Decatur City, met death in the icy waters of Grand River last Sunday morning. In company with his little brother Medley, a boy about 12 years old, Mr. Shelton had gone to the timber on Grand River squirrel hunting. Between 9 and 10 o’clock he shot a squirrel in a large tree a short distance from the Woodmansee bridge. The squirrel fell to the ground between the tree and the river, and the boy ran forward to get it. The ground was very slippery, being covered with sleet and he fell and rolled into the river, which at this point was about 40 to 50 rods wide and 10 feet deep. Mr. Shelton, immediately started after his brother, who cried out to him that he could get out, but Mr Shelton supposed the little fellow could not swim, while he was an expert swimmer. The boy swam across the river, and when he got on the bank his brother had disappeared beneath the water. He hastily made his way to the nearest house and gave the alarm. The body was recovered the same day about noon, and from the manner in which the arms and limbs were drawn it was evident he had been taken with cramps as soon as he entered the water. The deceased was about 25 years old and leaves a widow and two small children. He was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Decatur, and was a highly respected citizen. The funeral was held on Monday from the residence under the auspices of the Odd Fellow’s Lodge, the interment being in the Decatur cemetery. A singular coincident is reported to us in connection. There have been four men drowned at almost this identical place in Grand River, and all were drowned between 9 and 10 o’clock in the morning, and in each case it was on a Sunday.“
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Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, January 07, 1897, Page 2, Col. 2

“They were watering the cows and his brother Medley Shelton slipped in the river and Robert Shelton jumped in to save him, and becoming unnerved sank, although he was a good swimmer and sure of his own life and was determined to save the life of his only brother, who swam across the river with his overcoat on and got out safely. Robert was buried in the Decatur cemetery Monday under the auspices of the Odd Fellow’s lodge of which he was a faithful member. He leaves a wife and two small children and many friends to mourn his unexpected death.

Submitted by Pam Shelton-Anderson, 21 Jan 2001